The Las Vegas Raiders have to turn the page to the offseason with a focus on the 2024 NFL season. While the Silver and Black have two question marks at the head coaching and general manager positions, they must also find a long-term solution at the most important spot; quarterback. However, the organization could miss out on the top three signal-callers.
If the 2023 NFL season has shown Raiders fans anything, it’s that Las Vegas needs a young franchise signal-caller. It’s time for owner Mark Davis and whoever else is in charge to draft one and secure a player who can make a difference under center.
Who will be available for the Raiders to select in the 2024 NFL Draft?
The Raiders aren’t bad enough for Caleb Williams and Drake Maye, as those two will likely go in the top two. Many assume Jayden Daniels would be available, especially if the Silver and Black select in the top 10. Well, that Heisman Trophy might have skyrocketed Daniels’ profile. At least that what ESPN’s Matt Miller says. He has the 22-year-old going to the New York Giants in his mock draft.
Fear not, Raiders fans. Miller does have Las Vegas picking a signal caller. Although the top three quarterbacks are gone before the team makes their selection at No. 7, where they’re currently slotted, the NFL Draft analyst has Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy going to the Raiders.
“McCarthy is instinctive, efficient and effective as a second-effort creator outside of the pocket,” Miller wrote. “The Michigan scheme does him no favors in terms of statistics, but NFL scouts continue to tell me that McCarthy will be drafted earlier than expected.
“With Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) and Quinn Ewers (Texas) expected to return to college for the 2024 season, McCarthy is the lone first-round-caliber passer remaining on my board.”
Is it time for the Raiders to stop winning games?
As Miller stated, there are no quarterbacks worth taking in the first round after McCarthy. The season isn’t over, so the Raiders’ draft position isn’t locked in yet, and the team could slide further down.
If all the top four quarterbacks in the draft are gone before Las Vegas picks, it puts them back in possibly selecting another project in the later rounds, which isn’t ideal. So the question is, should the Raiders stop winning games for their own good regarding the draft?
Neither interim head coach Antonio Pierce nor anyone on the team will play to lose. However, as a fan, what do you think? If the Silver and Black slide too low, it could open the door for any team to trade up and possibly secure one of the quarterbacks. Also, it might mean that Las Vegas will need to trade assets if they want to move up.
At 5-8, it’s time to start thinking about draft positioning. With a dire need for a quarterback, the Raiders cannot afford to miss out on any of these signal-callers.
*Top Photo: Joe Rondone/The Republic